This debate raises some interesting issues, and it is good to hear the way that Waynegor feels on this issue. Too often I think we only hear the voices that support one side of the argument, and I had not considered the point that it may be perceived as unfair to ban the eating of shark fin whilst the eating of the rest of the shark is allowed.

However, what he seems to be missing is the size of the shark fin trade as opposed to the "whole shark" (if I may call it that) trade. The demand for shark fin is unsustainable and is very likely to wipe out sharks in the world's oceans. If we prioritize the exploitation of sharks in terms of the threat to them, number one is the finning industry, and number two is actually sharks caught as by-catch by long line fishermen. There is no viable demand for whole shark as a food stuff.

The attempt to ban the sale of shark fin is a global conservation issue, not a cultural one. Without a demand for shark fin, sharks would not be in the precarious position that they are now in.

I quote:

"Commercial fisheries targeting sharks exist throughout the world. Sharks are sought primarily for their fins (for shark fin soup) and their meat but also for their cartilage,liver and skin.

73 million sharks are killed every year, according to a 2000 analysis of the Hong Kong shark fin trade. Many scientists estimate that at least 100 million sharks are killed annually, including sharks caught for other products, such as meat.

Shark populations have declined by as much as 70 to 80 percent, according to global reports. Some populations, such as the porbeagle shark in the northwestern Atlantic and spiny dogfish in the northeastern Atlantic, have been reduced by up to 90 percent.

Thirty percent of all shark and ray species are now Threatened or Near Threatened with extinction, and accurate scientific assessments cannot be done on an additional 47percent of the species because of a lack of data.

The catching of sharks in fisheries that target other species (bycatch)is frequently reported in open-sea longline fisheries targeting tuna and swordfish and can represent as much as 25 percent of the total catch. This bycatch is considered to be a major source of mortality for many shark species worldwide.

Blue sharks make up a particularly large proportion of shark bycatch in open-sea fisheries (47 to92 percent).

The value of shark fins has increased with economic growth in Asia (particularly China), and this increased value is a major factor in the commercial exploitation of sharks worldwide. One bowl of shark fin soup can cost US$100.

Sharks play an important role in maintaining the structure and function of the ecosystem. They regulate the variety and abundance of the species below them in the food chain. Impacts from the loss of sharks can be felt throughout the entire marine environment.

Live sharks have a significant value for marine ecotourism (such as recreational diving, snorkelling, and shark watching) that is more sustainable and often far more valuable than their worth to fisheries. Whale shark tourism, for example, is estimated to be worth $47.5 million annually worldwide, and shark tourism activities in the Bahamas generate $78 million annually for the Bahamian economy.

To reverse declines in shark populations, shark sanctuaries should be established, and strong, science-based management should be put in place by all fishing countries and international bodies that regulate shark fishing and trade"

I do not feel that anyone here has stated that Chinese people should be "demonized as uncivilized, cruel and anti-conservation". However, the cold hard fact is that unless we attempt to control the shark fin industry, we will wipe out an apex predator that will have dreadful consequences for the state of the world's oceans.

Can't give me a good reason, right!To demonize a minority group will not solve the issues, my way or highway approach will create more resistance!Only work hard in the right way will solve the issues!

The reason is we don't need shark fin soup to live/survive. Nobody will die if they don't eat shark fin. If they like shark fin so much, why not try the mock fin? I had, in a vegetarian restaurant & the soup tasted very good & the texture of the mock fin was the same as the real one. Note that I gave up eating shark fin & shark after becoming a diver & realise the damage the Soup is doing to the population of sharks & in turn our marine ecosystem.

My culture used to treat women as "2nd class" humans, women are kept indoors & had their feet bonded. Super glad that we evolved!

Can't give me a good reason, right!To demonize a minority group will not solve the issues, my way or highway approach will create more resistance!Only work hard in the right way will solve the issues!

Waynegor, you are quite right, that we should not demonize a minority group. The fact is, the whole world is involved in the trade in shark fin. We are all aware of the shark fishing that goes on around Ecuador, Costa Rica etc, but we do tend to stick our head in the sand when it comes to our own failings. The EU fishing fleet have boats stationed permanently in the Indian Ocean (including UK flagged vessels, managed by DEFRA) that target blue shark and mako shark, both listed as threatened in some way on the IUCN Red List, I believe there are shark finning depots in Queensland (although I'm preparing myself for a flaming for daring to mention it). The only reason they are out there is the high return they can expect from the shark fin. Remove that element, you can be sure that those boats would shift their attention elsewhere, the meat itself is relatively low value, and realistically sharks aren't exactly an easy catch to manage!

So we cannot simply point a finger at the chinese and asian markets. We are all part of this mess, from the supply route all the way through to consumption.

This is why the Californian bill is so important, it leads the way in the world, to take responsbility for your own back yard, first and foremost. Hopefully it will set the example for others to follow, perhaps we will then see better quota management from fisheries around the world, god forbid we may even see all IUCN red listed marine species reflected in the CITES appendices, and afforded the same protection as endangered land species currently get.

Any step toward that nervada is hugely positive. Trying to use the pretence of cultural or racial discrimination to stop these conservation efforts is totally misplaced, it is not just a chinese/asian problem, it also has huge implications to the lives and profitability of fisherfolk throughout the world.

https://www.facebook...150316801561970The opposition (some restaurants, mostly) have come together and hired high-priced lobbyists. They (the restaurant owners) know they don't enjoy the majority opinion (on the shark fin issue) here in California, so they're trying to buy their way out of being eco-responsible.

http://latimesblogs....n-advances.html "The bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 5-2 vote and now moves to the Senate floor, where a vote is expected within the next few weeks."

Awareness campaigns in China... http://www.china.org...938731663059104Attitude towards sharks can change and not everyone is stubborn... imho, sfs are featured more prominantly in the menu of the southern coastal cities. Migrants fr there brought this "habit" w them to SE Asia n other countries... I have many colleagues who are Chinese fr different parts of PRC, they are able to accept my sharings about sharks & the need to stop having sfs, in fact, 2 of them changed the sfs out at their wedding (small) banquets at my request & the others promised not to order. I have more problems getting the Singaporean Chinese descendants of the coastal migrants to change their minds, that include my closer relatives... Note: I am also a descendant of coastal migrants fr China, my grandparents were from China. ;-)